Wine label cover apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A wine label covering device includes a piece of material having a width corresponding to the width of a label on a bottle and having a length longer than a circumference of the bottle. The piece of material includes a first major surface, and a second major surface. The wine label covering device also includes an adhesive on one end portion of the piece of material on both the first major surface and the second major surface. A wine tasting kit includes a plurality of wine label covering devices or sleeves, response materials, and an instruction set including instructions for covering the wine bottles and for using the response materials.

CLAIM OF BENEFIT OF PRIOR-FILED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/952,274, entitled “Wine Sleeve Apparatus andMethod,” filed on Jul. 27, 2007, the entire specification of which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments described herein relate to a wine label coverapparatus and method associated with using the wine label coverapparatus.

BACKGROUND

Recreational wine drinking continues to gain popularity. In someinstances, several different varieties of wine are opened and tasted aspart of a party. The attendees of the party are asked to vote for theirfavorite wine. Some are even more serious and have score sheets thatparty participants fill out in order to evaluate the various wines. Insome instances, the various brands are kept secret until all the scoresare tallied or all the participants have voted. Part of the fun is tosee if there are any surprises in the winner's circle.

In the past, paper bags have commonly been used to cover the label ofthe bottle. Part of the fun of attending a wine tasting party is that itcan be a bit of a classy affair. Using paper bags, like the ones from aliquor store, do not seem in keeping with the classy aspect associatedwith most wine tasting parties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.However, a more complete understanding of the present invention may bederived by referring to the detailed description when considered inconnection with the figures, wherein like reference numbers refer tosimilar items throughout the figures and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an uncovered wine bottle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wine bottle having the covered,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wine bottle having two labels covered,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a wine label cover, according to an exampleembodiment described herein.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a wine label cover, according to an exampleembodiment described herein.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a wine label cover for covering the throat of awine bottle, according to an example embodiment described herein.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a wine label cover for covering the throat ofa wine bottle, according to an example embodiment described herein.

FIG. 8 is a view of a stylized wine label cover, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view of a conformable wine label cover, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a kit for a wine tasting party, accordingto an example embodiment.

The description set out herein illustrates the various embodiments ofthe invention and such description is not intended to be construed aslimiting in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wine bottle 100 which is uncovered.The wine bottle includes a first label 110 which includes informationrelated to the type of wine and the source of the wine in the bottle.The label 110 is generally put on with a very strong adhesive so that itwill not come off easily. The wine bottle 100 also includes a label 120around the throat of the bottle 100. In some instances the label 120 maybe difficult to remove. In many instances the label 120 is formed from aplastic or vinyl that can be easily removed. A portion of the label 120,for example, may have to be removed in order to uncork the wine bottle100. The present subject matter is not limited to wine, and otherbeverages are possible, such as vodka, beer and coffee. Further, thelabel as disclosed herein can be a piece of paper applied to a winebottle, and in further embodiments it can include printing on a bottle,etching on a bottle and the like.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wine bottle having the label 110covered with a wine label cover 400 according to an embodiment. The winelabel cover can circumscribe the wine bottle, or it can extend aroundless than the circumference of the wine bottle. The wine label cover canhave a sleeve shape. In some sleeve shaped embodiments, the wine labelcover is formed of a continuous piece of material (i.e., the wine labelcover does not include a seam). In further embodiments, the wine labelcover includes a seam. In various embodiments, this seam is formedbefore the wine label cover is applied to a bottle of wine (e.g., thewine cover is provided as a preformed sleeve).

In various embodiments, the wine label cover 400 wraps around the bottleand attaches to itself. This wrapping is to cover the label 110 to keepany identifying information that might be printed on the wine labelobscured from view. In one method of conducting a blind wine tasting, awine label cover user wraps each of a plurality of wine bottles with arespective wine label cover. In some examples, each wine label coverincludes an identifier to distinguish it from other wine label covers.The identifier can be a pattern or a code, such as an alphanumeric code.It could also be a cut, punch or notch in an edge of a wine label cover400.

In this way wine tasting can be done using the bottle 100 without theparticipants knowing the source or even the type of wine. This is knownas a blind wine tasting. A blind wine tasting will include several winesthat have labels that are covered with a wine label cover, such as winelabel cover 400. Each of the wine label covers can include a decorativepattern or can even be provided with printed information specific to thesocial party or wine tasting being attended. The labels can include anidentifier so that participants can record the identifier when they votefor or score various wines. The identification can be recorded on aresponse card, for example.

As shown in FIG. 3 there is a second wine bottle 100′ that includes awine label cover 400′ and a wine label cover 500′. The wine label covers400 and 400′ would include separate identifications that would allowpeople to discern which bottle of wine they are voting on as they tastethem.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a wine label cover 400, according to anembodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the wine labelcover 400 according to an embodiment of the invention. The wine labelcover 400 has a height H_(L) that is sufficient to cover the label of awine bottle, such as wine label 110 (shown in FIG. 1). The wine labelcover 400 also includes a length dimension, C_(B). In some embodiments,the length dimension C_(B), is sufficient so that the label will go allthe way around the circumference of the bottle. In some instances, thelength C_(B) is the circumference of the bottle or the circumference ofa bottle plus an additional length since the label as applied overlapsslightly. With wines that have labels that extend around theircircumference, this can provide for coverage of the full wine label.

In several embodiments, the wine label cover 400 is dimensioned so thatit can be applied to many different bottle types (i.e., it is“universal”). In this wine seller can suggest any number of wines for awine tasting party and sell a number of corresponding wine label coversthat can be applied at a later time. The wine label covers can be usedto disguise or shield the identity of the wine to be tasted or tested.The wine label covers can be used to identify a wine that is beingscored. The wine label covers may include an identifier, such as aletter, that does not reveal what type of wine is being tested. The winelabel covers can optionally include an identifier that indicates whichwine a wine label cover is to be affixed to. The wine label covers areremovable so that a wine being evaluated can be unveiled at a later timeduring the party. In various embodiments, fasteners, such as adhesive,used to adhere the wine label cover is of such a tack that the winelabel cover may be removed without damaging the wine label to which itwas adhered.

The wine label cover 400 includes a first major surface 410. The firstmajor surface as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in use defines an exteriorsurface and includes an identifier 412. The second major surface 420 isopposite the first major surface 410 and faces the bottle. As shown inFIG. 4 the identifier is the letter “A.” The identifier 412 does nothave to be a letter or a number but could also be a particular patternor color of the major surface 410. The wine label cover 400 alsoincludes a second major surface 420. The major surface 420 can be blankor can include printing as disclosed herein.

In some examples, the wine label cover 400 includes an identifierindicating whether the wine label cover 400 is intended for use with ared wine or a white wine. The identifier could be a cut, such as a vnotch in an edge of the wine label cover 400, or could include printing.In some examples, labels intended for use with a white wine areconstructed to resist being damaged by condensation associated with awhite wine being chilled and then tasted in a warm, humid environment.

In some optional embodiments, the wine label cover 400 includes printingrelating to regional facts, varietals facts, facts about vineyard orvintages, or other information relating to a particular wine to which itmay be applied. This information can be printed on the surface thatfaces the bottle, in various embodiments, so that it is not easilyviewed by wine tasters during the wine tasting. Such informationenhances the enjoyment users experience at a wine tasting event becauseafter tasting has ended, the users may be provided with the labels andthey can read the labels and learn more about the wines they have justtasted. The wine label cover 400 optionally can include informationabout a wine retailer or a wine distributor.

The wine label cover 400 can include printing such as marketing andadvertising. Additionally the wine label cover can include an order codethat includes information about the wine label cover 400 such as sizeinformation and material type. This order code could be alphanumeric orit could be a bar code or some analog thereof. The order code canoptionally include wine information so that a wine taster can remove thelabel and take it home and order the wine they tasted.

In some examples, the wine label cover 400 includes a website address.In various embodiments, this website address can be used to orderfurther wine label covers and/or wine. In some examples, customized winelabel covers can be customized.

In some embodiments, a user can access a website associated with thewebsite address by using a client computer. The client computer includesa processor, memory, and instructions such as software in the memory tobe executed by the processor to direct a browser to access a websiteassociated with the website address. The client computer includes inputdevices, such as a keyboard and a mouse that can be used to inputinformation into the client computer, such as the website address, aswell as information relating to a wine label cover 400, such as desiredsize, patterns, graphics or words to be printed on the wine label cover400. Over a network such as the internet the user can use the clientcomputer to access a remote computer such as a server including a serverprocessor, a server memory, and server instructions such as software inthe memory to be executed by the server processor. The web server cancollect information relating to the wine label cover 400 and store itthat information. A wine label cover 400 manufacturer can access thecollected information to create new custom labels.

The major surface 420 may include an adhesive strip 440 at one end ofthe wine label cover 400. The major surface 410 also includes an endwhich is a strip of adhesive 430. The adhesive used to form the strips430, 440 can be the same adhesive or they can be different adhesives.The adhesive strip 440 may include an adhesive that can attach to thewine bottle itself and yet be releasable at a later time. The adhesivestrip 430 may attach to a portion of the interior surface 420 of thewine label cover 400.

Wrapping the bottle in some examples includes depressing an adhesive 440on a first end 450 of a wine label cover 400 to a wine bottle to adherethe wine label cover 400 to the wine bottle. A person applying a winelabel cover 400 can align the first end 450 with an end of a label on abottle of wine to ensure that the first end 450 is vertical. This canhelp assure that the wine label cover 400 extends around the bottle in agenerally straight fashion.

The user should ensure that the height H_(L) of the wine label cover 400is aligned with a height H_(W) of a wine label so that the label isobscured from view. Various methods include wrapping the wine labelcover 400 around the wine bottle. Various methods can include depressinga further adhesive 430 of the wine label cover to the wine label coverto adhere the wine label cover to itself. Optionally, adhesive strip 470can be used to secure the wine label cover 400 to itself. Someembodiments use only adhesive strips 440 and 430, while other use 440and 470, and still others use 430, 440 and 470. In some embodiments, thelength of the wine label cover 400 is less than the circumference of thewine bottle, and adhesives strips 430 and 470 allow the user to adherethe wine label cover 400 to a wine label on a bottle. Instructions canbe printed on the wine label cover 400 detailing how to apply the winelabel cover.

In one embodiment, the adhesive strip 440 is applied to the right of alabel on a bottle, and the label is wrapped around the bottle in acounter-clockwise fashion when viewed from the top of the bottle. Thewine label cover can then be adhered to itself using adhesive strip 430or 470 or both 430 and 470. In some embodiments, aligning the label sothat edge 450 is parallel to a vertical edge of a wine label can assistin aligning the edge 480 to the edge 450.

The wine label cover 400 can be made of any type of material such aspaper, vinyl, or the like. In some embodiments, the paper has a waterresistant coating such as wax. Such a coating is useful when tastingwhite wines that are chilled and thus form condensation on their bottlesduring the wine tasting. The present subject matter is not limited toadhesive and other fasteners, such as hooks and eyelets, are possiblewithout departing from the present scope.

In embodiments include a wine label cover that is to be wrapped around abottle, wrapping includes depressing an adhesive 440 on a first endportion 450 of a wine label cover to the wine bottle to adhere the winelabel cover to the wine bottle. This method then includes wrapping thewine label cover around the wine bottle. This method can includedepressing a further adhesive of the wine label cover to the wine labelcover to adhere the wine label cover to itself.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an optional throat label cover 500 according toseveral embodiments of the invention and FIG. 7 is a bottom view of athroat label cover 500 according to an embodiment of the invention. Thethroat label cover 500 is used to cover the throat of the wine bottle.In some embodiments, the throat label cover 500 has a differentdimension than the wine label cover 400. The height of the throat labelcover 500, H_(T), is sufficient to cover the throat label of the winebottle. The circumference or the length dimension of the throat labelcover 500, C_(T), is sufficient to wrap around the throat of many winebottles.

The throat label cover 500 also includes a first major surface 510 and asecond major surface 520. The first major surface 510 is an exteriorsurface and generally will coordinate with another wine label coverexterior surface 410 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). Such coordination canbe via an identifier such as a pattern or an alphanumeric code. Theinterior surface 520 can be blank or include optional printing such asinformation relating to the wine to be covered.

The throat label cover 500 also includes an adhesive area or adhesivestrip 530 on the first major surface and an adhesive strip 540 on thesecond major surface 520. An optional strip 570 is also illustrated. Theadhesives used for the adhesive strips 530 and 540 may have the samecharacteristics as the adhesive strips 430 and 440 (discussed above withrespect to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). The throat label need not carry anyidentifiers.

FIG. 8 is a view of a stylized wine label cover 800 according to anexample embodiment of the invention. Stylized wine label cover 800includes an exterior surface 810 having an identifier of some sort 812.The identifier 812 can be a letter, a number or a pattern on theexterior surface 810 of the wine label cover 800. The wine label cover800 also includes an adhesive strip 830. Also the interior surface has acorresponding adhesive strip (similar to those shown in FIGS. 5 and 7).The stylized wine label cover 800 has a height H_(L) to cover the mainlabel on a wine bottle, such as label 110 (shown in FIG. 1) and the winelabel cover also includes a length C_(L) sufficient so that the winelabel cover will extend all the way around the circumference of thebottle. The wine label cover 800 also includes a tail 850. The tail 850can be shaped in a stylized fashion. In one embodiment the tail isadapted to extend upward in an arc such that when applied to the winebottle, the tail 850 covers the through wine label cover.

FIG. 9 is a view of a conformable wine label cover 900, according to anembodiment of this invention. The conformable wine label cover 900 hasan exterior surface 910 and an interior surface 920. The wine labelcover 900 is formed in a tube shape out of conformable material. Forexample, the tube 900 slides into place over the main body of the winebottle 100 (shown in FIG. 1) to obscure viewing of the label 110. Thelength of the tube is sufficient to cover the identity portion of a winelabel 110. A similar wine label cover could be made for the throat ofthe wine bottle and would have a slightly different dimension. The winelabel cover 900 could be made of any conformable material such ascorrugated cardboard or an elastomeric material. In various embodiments,the material of the tube 900 is conformable such that it fits tightlyover a label 110 so that people cannot cheat or have the wine labelcover prematurely revealed.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a kit 1000 for a wine tasting party,according to an example embodiment of the invention. The kit 1000 may ormay not include wine in bottles 1010, 1012, 1014. The kit includes atleast a first plurality of wine label covers such as wine label covers1020, 1022, 1024 and a set of instructions on how to conduct a winetasting party 1030. The instructions 1030 may also include instructionsrelated to how to attach the wine label covers 1020, 1022, 1024 to anexample label 1032 or labels, such as the labels on the set of bottles1010, 1012, 1014. The instructions 1030 can also instruct as to how touse response materials to score wines being tasted. In variousembodiments, the instructions 1030 include printing associated withordering a further plurality of wine label covers. For example a winekit order code and an address to send an order to. The address could bea website.

The response materials can include a response card 1060. They can alsoinclude a pencil or a stylus for marking a response card. In someembodiments, the response card includes a flavor profile (e.g.,“bitterness”) 1061 and response bubbles that a respondent can fill. Someembodiments include a note taking section 1062. Some embodiments includea flavor profile with yes or no bubbles. Other response forms arepossible without departing from the present subject matter. In someembodiments, the response card 1060 includes a space where a respondentcan record an identifier associated with a particular wine label cover.The instructions 1030 can include a description of how to do this.

The wine label covers 1020, 1022, 1024 can be set up in various ways.For example, they may have a theme. For example, there might beCalifornia wines and all the labels may have exterior surfaces thatreflect various aspects of California or the California lifestyle orCalifornia vineyards. Other wines come from Australia so you might havean Australian theme to each of the various wine label covers 1020, 1022,1024. Of course, other wines come from other regions of the world andmay have different themes there are all types of wines as well and eachof these types of wines could be dealt with as a theme. The idea is thatby selling the wine label covers in a kit form with a number of the winelabel covers available and various themes liquor retailers will be ableto sell increased amounts of wine for wine tastings. In addition, thewine label covers 1020, 1022, 1024 will be made up so as to add to thefun of having a wine tasting party.

As mentioned before, the kits can also include the wine so manufacturersof wine may bundle various types of wine for wine tastings. In some ofthese embodiments, each of the wine label covers 1020, 1022, 1024includes an identifier 1021, 1023, 1025. Each of these identifiers 1021,1023, 1025 matches an identifier 101, 1013, 1015 on respective labels1050, 1052 and 1054 of wine bottles 1010, 1012, 1014.

A wine tasting party in a kit form might also be able to increase themargin on particular sales of different types of wine. In oneembodiment, all the wine label covers are made of disposable material,such as paper or some thin walled opaque plastic or vinyl. In this waythe host of the party can merely dispose of the wine bottle and the winelabel cover wrapped around the label. Of course if it is the last bottleof a particular type of wine the label can be removed from the bottle toreveal the type of wine it is or the winery responsible for the wine.

Various options for the kits are possible. In some options, a kitincludes a plurality of wine label covers, with each including printingassociated with a particular wine. For example, this printing couldinclude the type of wine, the vineyard and/or the vintage. Thisinformation could be printed on the side of the label that is intendedto face the bottle in use, so that it would be difficult to view by winetasters.

In some examples, the response materials include an identifierassociated with a particular wine or wines. For example, in someembodiments the identifier on the response card includes patterns whichmatch wine label cover patterns, so that wine tasters know whichresponse card to use for which wines. Numbers, letters, shapes or othergraphics could be used as an identifier.

In various embodiments, the kit further includes an invitation 1040 orinvitations, with each invitation 1040 including information about awine tasting party. Such information could include location 1041,directions 1042, times and/or names of invitees. The invitation couldinclude an RSVP. The invitation can optionally include a blank spotwhere respondents can request one or more wine types. Some invitationsare sent as part of a kit that also includes wines, and the invitationsinclude information relating to the wines. Some invitations include afield that can be completed by a host with information relating to awine tasting event. The fields can be completed by hand. The invitationscan be coordinated with wine label covers of a kit, such as by includinga pattern that matches the wine label covers.

A wine label covering device includes a piece of material having a widthcorresponding to the width of a label on a bottle and having a lengthlonger than a circumference of the bottle. The piece of materialincludes a first major surface, and a second major surface. The winelabel covering device also includes an adhesive on one end of the pieceof material on both the first major surface and the second majorsurface. A wine tasting kit includes a plurality of wine label coveringdevices or sleeves, response materials, and an instruction set includinginstructions for covering the wine bottles and for using the responsematerials.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments reveals thegeneral nature of the invention sufficiently that others can, byapplying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt it for variousapplications without departing from the generic concept, and thereforesuch adaptations and modifications are intended to be comprehendedwithin the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosedembodiments.

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employedherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications, equivalents and variations as fall within the spirit andbroad scope of the appended claims.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) to allow thereader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technicaldisclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that itwill not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims.

1. A wine tasting kit comprising: a plurality of wine label covers, eachof the wine label covers sized to cover a label on a wine bottle;response materials comprising at least one response card; and aninstruction set including instructions for covering an example labelwith one of the wine label covers and for using the response materialsto score a covered wine.
 2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the wine labelcovers include means for affixing the wine label cover to a wine bottleand to itself.
 3. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofwine bottles, with each of the wine label covers including an identifierthat matches an identifier on a label of at least one wine bottle. 4.The kit of claim 1, wherein each of the wine label covers includes awine identifier, and the response materials include a scoring identifierassociated with the wine identifier.
 5. The kit of claim 1, wherein theplurality of wine label covers each include printing associated with aparticular wine to which the respective wine label cover is to beapplied to.
 6. The kit of claim 1, wherein an order code is printed oneach of the plurality of wine label covers, the order code to identify aparticular wine to which the respective wine label cover is to beapplied to.
 7. The kit of claim 6, wherein a website address is printedon each of the plurality of wine label covers, the website addressassociated with a website to receive the order code and a web server tostore the order code.
 8. The kit of claim 1, wherein the instruction setincludes an order code associated with ordering further wine labelcovers.
 9. The kit of claim 1, further comprising invitations.
 10. Awine label covering device comprising: a piece of material having aheight that is at least as great as the height of a label on a bottleand having a length longer than a circumference of the bottle, the pieceof material comprising: a first major surface, and a second majorsurface; and an adhesive on one end portion of the piece of material onboth the first major surface and the second major surface.
 11. The winelabel covering device of claim 10, wherein the piece of material is towrap around the bottle with the second surface facing the bottle, withthe adhesive adhered to the bottle, and with the adhesive being disposedon the second major surface to adhere the piece of material to itselfwith the adhesive disposed between the one end portion of the materialand a portion of the material that is to overlap the one end portion ofthe material.
 12. The wine label covering device of claim 11, furthercomprising a website address printed on the second surface, the websiteaddress associated with a website to order a further wine label coveringdevice.
 13. The wine label covering device of claim 11, furthercomprising a website address printed on the second major surface, thewebsite address associated with a website to order further wine that issubstantially the same wine as the wine in the bottle.
 14. The winelabel covering device of claim 10, wherein advertising printing isdisposed on the material.
 15. The wine label covering device of claim10, wherein the material includes paper.
 16. The wine label coveringdevice of claim 15, wherein the paper is wax coated.
 17. A method forconducting a blind wine tasting, comprising: wrapping each of aplurality of wine bottles with a respective wine label cover, with eachwine label cover including an identifier to distinguish it from otherwine label covers, the wrapping comprising: depressing an adhesive on afirst end portion of a wine label cover to the wine bottle to adhere thewine label cover to the wine bottle, wrapping the wine label coveraround the wine bottle, and depressing a further adhesive of the winelabel cover to the wine label cover to adhere the wine label cover toitself; distributing response cards to wine tasters, the response cardseach including identifiers that match each response card to at least onewine label cover; and recording responses on at least one response card.18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: wrapping at least onewhite wine bottle with a wine label cover including a white wineidentifier; and wrapping at least one red wine bottle with a wine labelcover including a red wine identifier.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein wrapping includes wrapping a wine of a particular brand andvintage with a wine label cover including a unique identifier associatedwith a particular wine brand and vintage, and wherein the response cardincludes the unique identifier.
 20. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising distributing the wine label covers after the responses havebeen recorded, with each of the wine label covers including informationassociated with the wine that was covered by the wine label cover.